Carrier garment-cushion

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a garment having utility as a balanced carrier and also as a cushion. Two vest sections are joined at the shoulder and optionally at the side to form the garment of this invention. A pocket containing a cushion is attached to each vest section. By unsnapping the vest portions and folding the shoulder strap around the pocket and cushion each vest section is convertible into a cushion having a desirable size and shape. Moderately heavy loads of beverage and the like can be conveniently carried by the user by balancing the load between the front and back pockets. Additionally, the vest sections may be brightly colored to make the user exceptionally visible.

United States Patent [191 Roderick 2/2 De Spain [4 Nov. 19, 1974 [76] Inventor: Jimmy F. De Spain, 5 Cool Creek Attorney Agent welkart Cir., Carmel, Ind. 46032 Emhardt & Naughm" l PP 407,220 This invention relates to a garment having utility as a balanced carrier and also as a cushion. Two vest sec- 52 us. Cl 2/94 224/5 A4ld/l/00 are Fined and ptinally [51 1 1m. CI ..A4id 1/00, A4ld 3/02 side the garment invemm Pocket [58] new of Search H 2/94 102 224/5 R containing a cushion is attached to each vest section.

224/5 K k 9 26 By unsnapping the vest portions and folding the shoulder strap around the pocket and cushion each vest [56] Reierences Cited section is convertible Into a cushion having a desirable size and shape. Moderately heavy loads of beverage UNITED STATES PATENTS y and the like can be conveniently carried by the user g; g s 3 by balancing the load between the front and back UC pockets. Additionally, the vest sections may be Fabamch 2/94 brightly colored to makethe user exceptionally visible.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures CARRIER GARMENT-CUSHION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention:

This invention generally relates to functional wearing apparel which has utility as a carrier and which is readily convertible into a matched pair of cushions.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

The prior art generally deals with various sportsmens garments. These garments are generally designed to carry game or fish in a rear mounted pouch in addition to having multiple pockets for an assortment of rifle shells and other hunting and fishing apparatus. Sample patents disclosing sportsman type garments are US Pat. No. 1,426,024 (1922) to Thureson and US. Pat. No. 2,620,479 (1952) to Buck. Other prior art is the U.S. Pat. No. 3,185,362 (1964) issued to Wakefield and disclosing a skiing apparatus designed to protect ski pants from water and dirt normally encountered when riding a ski lift.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a vest type garment that is adjustable so as to be conveniently worn by men or women of any size. In addition to being an article of clothing the garment of this invention serves as a convenient carrying device for moderately heavy loads; a set of cushions for sitting or resting; and optionally can be painted or manufactured in luminescent colors to be worn by hunters or persons desiring to be unusually visible.

Previous attempts to design a garment such as this resulted in garments having a single pouch in the back, or coats having multiple pockets for specific uses. Any conversion of these garments into pillows have generally amounted to a mere wadding up of the garment.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a garment which can be used as a carrier for moderately heavy loads.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a garment which can be conveniently folded to provide a padded cushion.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a garment which can be colored with luminescent paint or reflective material to emphasize the visibility of the wearer.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a carrier cushion garment that is adjustable to fit both men and women of various sizes.

Finally, the objects of this invention include all of the other novel features which will be obvious from the specification and claims at hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation showing the front vest section.

FIG. 2 is a top view with both vest sections extended and partially attached.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the vest sections as they would appear when joined and as they would appear when worn.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the front vest section when folded into the pillow configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For the purposes of promotingan understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to 1 which the invention relates.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the garment of this invention is comprised basically of two half vest sections. Front vest section 12 attaches to an identical back vest section 11 by means of snaps 14 located on shoulder straps 20 of vest sections 12 and 11. Vest sections 11 and 12 are identical with the exception of snaps 14 and 33. Snaps 14 on front vest section 12 are designed to be the male member while snaps 14 on back vest section II are designed to be the female member of the corresponding snaps. In order that the vest sections may also serve as pillows, the pillow snaps 33 on vest sections 11 and 12 must be the opposite corresponding male and female members of top snaps 14 on the respective vest sections. Therefore, pillow snaps 33 on front vest section 12 would be the male member of top snaps 14 on vest section 12. Likewise, pillow snaps 33 on back vest section 11 would be the female member for joining with shoulder snaps 14 of vest section 11.

Vest sections 11 and 12 are each provided with a pocket 10. In addition, closeable flap 35 is optionally provided. Pocket 10 is designed to carry moderately heavy loads such as a half a case of beverage. The load that may be carried is limited only by the ability of the user and the strength of seams 15 at the intersection of pocket 10 with vest sections 11 and 12. In addition, pocket 10 contains a pillow or cushion 50. Said cushion 50 may be constructed from any suitable padding material. A preferred material is foam rubber. Cushion 50 is placed in pocket 10 and may be removed therefrom at the users convenience. Cushion 50 is not pennanently mounted in pocket 10 and if the carrier cushion garment is not to be used as a cushion, it may be omitted altogether. Optional closeable flap 35 is made from material identical to that making up vest sections 11 and 12. Closeable flap 35 is provided with pocket snaps 37 to secure closeable top 35 to the outside pocket portion 16.

The garment of this invention may be made from any desired material. An especially preferred material is canvas. Materials exhibiting characteristics of toughness and waterproofness, of course, are especially preferred. The material used should be a type such that it can be painted or otherwise manufactured with luminescent or other bright type of paint. This serves the function of making the wearer of the garment of this invention distinctly visible over long distances and during times when visibility is at a minimum. Therefore,

this garment would be especially useful to persons such this invention are each convertible into a padded cushion. The cushion is formed by wrapping shoulder strap 20 of front vest section 12 in back of pocket and pulling shoulder snaps 14 around the bottom portion of outside pocket portion 16 to secure to pillow snaps 33. The user can then sit on either side although preferably the side having no snaps, thus forming a cushion of uniform size and shape. As mentioned previously, the amount of cushioning supplied is optional to the individual user and depends on the size and shape of cushion 50.

lt is important to note that when front vest section 12 and back vest section 11 are snapped together by shoulder snaps 14 and worn as a garment that equal loads may be placed in pockets 10 on both the front and back portion. A unique feature of the garment of this invention is use of a balancing principle to permit carrying what would normally be considered a moderately heavy load with relative ease. By placing approximately equal loads in both the front and the back pock-' ets 10 moderately heavy loads may be carried comfortably by an individual as the weight is supported by the users shoulders and back rather than the arms. As an example of this, a case of beverage, i.e., beer, can be carried easily by a person wearing the garment of this invention without unnecessary inconvenience. This is accomplished by loading half a case in both the front and rear pocket portions. This minimizes the normally awkward configuration of a case of beer and at the same time allows the wearer to have both hands free for carrying other things.

While the garment of this invention is convenient for carrying loads of small to moderate weight, it is equally convenient to put on and take off. As can be noted from the attached figures, the wearer need only place his head through the head hole 40 to be completely into the garment. Side straps 42 are optionally provided which can attach front vest portion 12 and back vest portion 11 if so desired.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims are also desired to be The invention claimed is:

l. A garment comprising:

a. a first vest section having a pocket and fastening means at the shoulder;

b. a second vest section having a pocket and fastening means at the shoulder, said fastening means of said second vest section being receptive to said fastening means of said first vest section;

c. a first cushion member, said first cushion member being fittable-within said pocket of said first vest section; v

d. a second cushion member, said second cushion member being fittable within said pocket of saidsecond vest section;

e. means for securing said fastening means of said first vest section to said pocket of said first vest section to form a cushion configuration; and.

f. means for securing said fastening means of said second vest section to said pocket of said second vest section to form a cushion configuration.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said first and second vest sections are constructed from a canvas type material.

3. The garment of claim 1 wherein said cushions are foam rubber.

4. The garment of claim 1 wherein said first and second vest sections have lateral fastening means in addition to being secured by said fastening means at the shoulder.

5. The garment of claim 1 wherein said pockets of said first vest section and said second vest section are coverable by an attachable flap, said flap having means for fastening to said pockets.

6. The garment of claim 1 wherein said vest sections are luminescent.

7. A garment comprising a. a first vest section having a pocket, said pocket being coverable by an attached flap, said attached fiap having means for fastening to said pocket, said pocket containing a foam rubber cushion, said first vest section having fastening means at the shoulder;

b. a second vest section having a pocket, said pocket being coverable by an attached flap, said attached flap having means for fastening to said pocket, said pocket containing a foam rubber cushion, said second vest section having fastening means at the shoulder, said fastening means of said second vest section being receptive to said shoulder fastening means of said first vest section, and

c. means for securing said fastening means of said first vest section to said pocket of said first vest section to form a cushion configuration; and

d. means for securing said fastening means of said second vest section to said pocket of said second vest section to form a cushion configuration.

8. The garment of claim 7 wherein said first and second vest sections are constructed from a canvas type material.

9. The garment of claim 7 wherein said first and second vest sections are luminescent.

10. The garment of claim 7 wherein said first and second vest sections have lateral fastening means in addition to being secured by said shoulder fastening means. 

1. A garment comprising: a. a first vest section having a pocket and fastening means at the shoulder; b. a second vest section having a pocket and fastening means at the shoulder, said fastening means of said second vest section being receptive to said fastening means of said first vest section; c. a first cushion member, said first cushion member being fittable within said pocket of said first vest section; d. a second cushion member, said second cushion member being fittable within said pocket of said second vest section; e. means for securing said fastening means of said first vest section to said pocket of said first vest section to form a cushion configuration; and f. means for securing said fastening means of said second vest section to said pocket of said second vest section to form a cushion configuration.
 2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said first and second vest sections are constructed from a canvas type material.
 3. The garment of claim 1 wherein said cushions are foam rubber.
 4. The garment of claim 1 wherein said first and second vest sections have lateral fastening means in addition to being secured by said fastening means at the shoulder.
 5. The garment of claim 1 wherein said pockets of said first vest section and said second vest section are coverable by an attachable flap, said flap having means for fastening to said pockets.
 6. The garment of claim 1 wherein said vest sections are luminescent.
 7. A garment comprising a. a first vest section having a pocket, said pocket being coverable by an attached flap, said attached flap having means for fastening to said pocket, said pocket containing a foam rubber cushion, said first vest section having fastening means at the shoulder; b. a second vest section having a pocket, said pocket being coverable by an attached flap, said attached flap having means for fastening to said pocket, said pocket containing a foam rubber cushion, said second vest section having fastening means at the shoulder, said fastening means of said second vest section being receptIve to said shoulder fastening means of said first vest section, and c. means for securing said fastening means of said first vest section to said pocket of said first vest section to form a cushion configuration; and d. means for securing said fastening means of said second vest section to said pocket of said second vest section to form a cushion configuration.
 8. The garment of claim 7 wherein said first and second vest sections are constructed from a canvas type material.
 9. The garment of claim 7 wherein said first and second vest sections are luminescent.
 10. The garment of claim 7 wherein said first and second vest sections have lateral fastening means in addition to being secured by said shoulder fastening means. 